Hugh Jackman Gets Ready To Robot Rumble

Editorial

As Shawn Levy prepares to step into the ring for shooting on sci-fi robo-boxing drama Real Steel, he's adding yet more actors to the cast, with Hope Davis, James Rebhorn and Olga Fonda all signing up.
The near-future sports pic sees Hugh Jackman as a former fighter trying to survive in a world that has evolved to embrace even more violent entertainment in the shape of gladitatorial robots bashing each others' metal minds out. Suddenly lumbered with the son he's rarely met (Dakota Goyo), Jackman also discovers an unlikely robot warrior on a junk heap and reconnects with his boy as he trains his new pugilist.
Variety doesn't specify which role Davis has snatched, though we'd guess she could be playing Goyo's mother. Rebhorn, meanwhile, was last seen in The Box and Fonda is a relative newcomer who showed up in Love Hurts and has a role in the new Fockers sequel.
Other recent additions to the film include Lost's Evangeline Lily and Kevin Durand, plus Hurt Locker veteran Anthony Mackie. Real Steel kicks off production this month with Avatar-style 3D CG for the robots and a planned release late in 2011.

James White